Announcing Winners of the 2006 Northern Territory Management Excellence Awards

• Professional Manager of the Year - Public Sector
• Professional Manager of the Year - Private Sector
• Owner Manager of the Year
• Young Manager of the Year

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Professional Manager of the Year - Public Sector

Read more about the Professional Manager - Public Sector category.

Winner

Tony Cheng
Manager, Works, Alice Springs Town Council

Tony Cheng has implemented a number of ideas that have used innovation and lateral thinking to solve environmental problems to improve both his work place and his place of living.

Tony impressed the judges with his ‘passion for people’ and his vision for Alice Springs.

Finalists

• Mark Kelton, Commanding Officer, Department of Defence
• Jeanette Kerr, Superintendent, NT Police
• Maritana Richards, Course Coordinator, Charles Darwin University
• Lynne Watson, Customer Service Manager, Power and Water Corporation
• John Weippert, Direct ICT, NT Police Fire & Emergency Services

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Professional Manager of the Year - Private Sector

Read more about the Professional Manager - Private Sector category.

Winner

George Skene
Project Manager, Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd

George’s recent projects include the Bradshaw Field Training Area Project and the Darwin Waterfront Project.

The Bradshaw project highlighted George’s flair for attracting indigenous employees, overcoming major communications issues in remote areas, and addressing environmental issues.

Finalists

• Greg Constantine, CEO, Larrakia Development Corporation
• Leigh Greig, National HR & Ops Mgs, Cridlands Lawyers
• Paul MacPhail, Corporate Express
• Liz Martin, General Manager, Old Ghan Museum & Heritage Railway
• Jeff Robinson, Manager, Directair
• Bronwyn Russell, Engineers Australia
• Sue Wainwright, Executive Officer, Playgroup Association of NT
• Natasha Griggs, NT Regional Manager, SRA Information Technology
• Mike Harrison, CEO, Group Training NT

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Owner Manager of the Year

Read more about the Owner Manager award category.

Winner

Mick Smith
Managing Director, Focus First National

The judges agreed that Mick was chosen for his dedication to the business and commitment to his staff, plus his integrity and ethical approach to his customers.

Mick is very much involved in the community and, in a few short years, has managed to grow a very successful enterprise in what is a very competitive real estate environment.

Finalists

• Matthew Callaway, Owner, Arafura Audiology
• Greg Haigh, Managing Director, Air & Gas Systems

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Young Manager of the Year

Read more about the Young Manager award category.

Winner

Shelley Crowther
Director of Pharmacy, Northpharm Pty Ltd

Shelley has demonstrated her ability to find new markets, which have substantially increased Northpharm’s turnover and profit in the past few years.

She has demonstrated her ability to bring about change by breaking the mould of the traditional pharmacy business-model, through the introduction of a team-based structure.

Finalists

• Ilyse Elphick, Office Manager, Focus First National
• Marcus Mancer, HOD Physiotherapist, Physio Dept, Robertson Barracks
• Helen Parker, Features Manager, NT News
• Roy Pidgeon, Director, IT & Mgmt Services, Charles Darwin University
• Jane Yelland, Environmental Supervisor, McArthur River Mining
• Satnam Dhingta, Finance Manager, Central Land Council Alice Springs

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Medal for Inspiring Leadership

Sandra O'Connor
Manager, Crocodylus Park

Sandra sees her strengths as having the ability to manage staff, solve problems and her capacity to learn.

Sandra’s achievements include the public recognition of Crocodylus Park as a major tourist attraction in Darwin, resulting in a 20% increase in visitor numbers in 2006.

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